More Than a Bucket List by Toni Birdsong

More Than a Bucket List by Toni Birdsong is an interesting book.  It focus' on establishing dreams, your passions, and building your faith.   It is filled with short stories, positive thoughts, and quotes that center around various themes.  After a few paragraphs of stories or thoughts, the author lists some dreams, adventures, passions, or ways to build your faith.  These lists are not meant as a check off list, but rather a list of suggestions.  The suggestions are broad and deep.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
This is not a sit down are read through book.  It is a book intended to be picked up, read for a little bit, and then set back down.  My wife and I thought this this would be a good bathroom book for those who tend to spend a lot of time in there.  I like the fact that this bucket list book was more well rounded than the others I have read or skimmed.  This one was more focused on the individual rather than things that can be done as a couple.  However, I will say that as I skimmed the many lists on dreams, adventures, passions, and building faith, I found myself writing them down in our Bucket List journal.  This book is definitely worth the look over because it has a lot of unique ideas and suggestions.

AR Quiz:  No AR quiz.

Yardsticks

Chip Wood wrote Yardsticks with parents and teachers in mind. This book is nothing more than a resource for parents and/or teachers who have children ages 4-14.

The first part of the book discusses the developmental issues affecting all children while the second part touches on major developmental considerations. The third part of Yardsticks, in my opinion, is the most valuable. In the third part of the book, there is a chapter devoted to each age level (i.e. 4, 5, 6, 7, etc…). Each of these chapters begin with a memorable quote by a well know figure. Following this quote, words of wisdom from the mouths of children at the specific age represented in the chapter, age appropriate behaviors, and lastly what a parent/teacher should see and/or expect in physical, social and academic realm of the child.

MY TWO CENTS
Although this is not a doctorate dissertation, Yardsticks speaks to the reader on layman’s terms. It is easy to understand and a quick read. For those just starting out in field of child development, parenting and/or teaching, Yardsticks is worth your time and the space on your book shelf. However, you have spent years studying child development, have 4-10 children or have taught for a zillion years, this book is not for you. You already know it all. In my opinion, this book is perfect for those who are new to the profession, parenting or simply for those who want a quick refresher course. I enjoyed the read and will put it on my recommendation list.

Victory Secrets of Attila the Hun

Victory Secrets of Attila the Hun by Wess Roberts, Ph.D. was published in1993 by Dell Publishing. This book was the long awaited sequel to Wess Roberts earlier work, Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun. There are a total of eighteen chapters filled with Hun history and words of wisdom to the rising Hun clan. The topics cover ranged from not wasting your energy to dodging arrows to risk-taking can backfire to a few good warriors. Each chapter began with a brief history lesson and ended with Attila the Hun addressing the warriors and/or the Hun clan. The words of advise were always given in bullet form, thus easy to write down, remember and quote.

MY TWO CENTS
For the most part, I enjoy reading about leadership. I specifically enjoy reading autobiographies and biographies that have a leadership flavor to them. Victory Secrets of Attila the Hun was a fascinating read for me for three reasons: 1) I knew very little about Attila the Hun and this book contained some interesting history lessons, 2) Wess Roberts was able to use many of the actions of Attila the Hun and apply them in today’s leadership venues, and 3) Attila the Hun was a man of action not just idle words. Although some of the recommendations of Attila the Hun won’t work in all settings, I have an appreciation for the history, the stories and words of advisement.

This is one of those books that have a unique perspective and angle on leadership. Due to its uniqueness, I would recommend both of Dr. Roberts’ leadership books to occupy shelf space in your office. In addition, both of these books are excellent conversation pieces.

The Last Lecture

Randy Pausch with Jeffrey Zaslow wrote the book entitled, "The Last Lecture". The book has been broken up into six parts and reflects much of what Randy Pausch shared with his audience during a lecture series. In the past, this lecture series was called, The Last Lecture and selected college professors were asked to give a lecture as if it were their "last lecture". Throughout this lecture they would share their wisdom, successes, and council to those who attended the lecture. For Randy Pausch, this wasn't merely a frame to build his lecture around, it was reality. Randy Pausch was diagnosed with Pancratic cancer and given a short time to live. He looks, sounds and acts like your average healthy man but he is on the slippery road to death. Throughout the book, he provides his readers with simple, yet profound advise. This book is one I would highly recommend for men. Randy's comments, humor, humility, and humanity brings the reader to the place where things really matter....the moments we spend with those around us, specifically those we love.

Randy past away during the month of July (2008) and left behind a lovely family and a lasting legacy. He is a man who used his last months on earth to make a lasting impact on his family, friends and those still on earth. Continue to dream and seek to fulfill that dream.

If you have not read his book or seen Randy's lecture on You Tube, I highly recommend it. His book and his last lecture will occupy space on my book shelf, occupy space in my computer, and be shared in my leadership classes. May everyone who encounters his book and/or lecture benefit in a life changing way.

The Control Freak

Have you ever had controlling tendancies? Do you know a meddling manager or a pushy parent? Do you plan the day, the week, and the month for you and your family? What happens when your 15 minute trip to the store turns out to take 45 - 60 minutes because you forgot your wallet along with the list? I don't know about you but typically my heart begins to beat in my fingers, my chest tightens, and thoughts race through my mind. I am a control freak, actually according to Les Parrott III, Ph.D. I am a recovering control freak. Truth be told, I like the sound of a "recovering" control freak better than a control freak in denile. If you have issues with control, work with those who have issues with control, live with someone who has issues with control, or simply want to deal with your own issues of control, then book entitled, The Control Freak by Les Parrott III, Ph.D. is the book for you.

This book is well written and an easy read for the layman. Dr. Les Parrott III organized the book into three basic sections: 1) Who is in control? 2) Taming the control freaks around you, and 3) Controlling the control freak within you.

The first part of the book gives the reader a brief understanding of the need to control, the symbianic relationship between control and anxiety, the autonmomy of a control freak (my favorite chapter), and why control freaks act the way they do.

The second part of the book covers six common control freaks you will either encounter or are. Dr. Parrott III reviews these six control freak types, briefly describes how they evolved, and provides practical tips on how to deal with, work with, or avoid them. The six types of control freaks Dr. Parrott III writes about are: The meddling manager, the coercive colleague, the supervising spouse, the pushy parent, the invasive in-law, and the tenacious teen.

The third and last section in the book talks about controlling the control freak within. Throughout the book, the author provides the reader with self tests and assessments to determine whether they are or the person their thinking of is a control freak. This section is no different. Dr. Parrott III gives you a 13 question assessment so you can review your answers and diagnose your control freak symptoms. In his pragmatic ways, Les provides the reader with safeguards to keep you from spinning out of control, rebuilding damaged relationships, and taking charge without being a control freak.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH:

This is an easy read as well as a quick read. Dr. Les Parrott III writes for the average man. He gives hope to those of us who are spinning out of control with our need to control our environments (i.e. home, work, personal, spiritual). I highly recommend this book to anyone dealing with personal control issues or those of you struggling with working with others who have the need to control.

I have to admit, I bought this book because my life was spinning out of control. My anxiety was going through the roof. My personal life, professional life, and spiritual life were slipping out of my hands. Every time I jumped to grab the rings, I realized the rings were made of smoke. Through The Control Freak, Dr. Les Parrott III was able to help me understand that I do have an issue with control. The more I control events or things the more stable, the more comfortable, and the more I can do. However, when I begin to lose control (i.e. something does not go as planned) my anxiety begins to rise and my control tendancies kick into hyper-drive. When I am in hyper-drive, life all around me is negatively impacted. Through this book, Dr. Les Parrott III showed me that all control is not bad or counter productive. I also learned that when I or someone I work with has a strong desire to control everything, it is a sure sign that their anxiety is high (for some reason or another) and they need to control so that their anxiety will be reduced. Finally, this book has given me a new set of glasses to wear. Over the last few weeks I have been looking at people and their interactions with one another and trying to determine whether they are a control freak or someone who submits to the control freak. If I have determined they are a control freak, then I adjust my ways of interacting with them so that their anxiety drops as well as mine. Has this been successful? Not every time, but I have come to the realization that our personal and professional anxiety rises when we feel we are out of control. All in all, this book has helped me gain control of my over controlling tendencies.

I highly recommend The Control Freak by Dr. Les Parrott III. It is worthy of one's coveted bookshelf space.

The One Minute Manager

The One Minute Manager is one of many "One Minute Manager" books. The One Minute Manager was the runaway #1 national best seller on the New York Bestsell list for two years running. With its simple story line, easy to understand concepts, and practical strategies, The One Minute Manager became one of the most widely used management books in its time. This classic book was written by Kenneth Blanchard, Ph.D. and Spencer Johnson, M.D. It was published the year I graduated from highschool (1981).

As with all of the One Minute books, the One Minute Manager has been written like a story. They typically start out with a main character who is seeking advise from a wise sage regarding a pressing topic. In the One Minute Manger, the main character is on a quest to uncover the secrets of a successful manager. Through his research he discovers that most managers do not have time for him or they really don't share any helpful information with him. That is until he meets the One Minute Manager. This manager takes an appointment immediately and begins to share his secrets. In fact, he sets him up withother who share his view.

The main character learns about setting one minute goals, giving one minute praises, and providing one minute reprimands. He learns these secrets not only from the one minute manager but from those who work under hiim. Things work out so well with the main character that he gets a job working with the one minute manager and he soon finds himself to be just like him.

The story ends with an young woman setting up an appointment to talk with the main character about his secret to managerial success.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH
I remember reading this book during my early days of college. It made a lot of sense to me and I believe it became a part of the foundation of my leadership style. It makes sense to set goals, monitor your progress towards them, reprimand when necessary, and celebrate when the goal(s) has been reached. This book was worth the reread. It refreshed my memory on the things I should be doing with the people whom I work with.

50 One-Minute Tips to Better Communicate

50 One-Minute Tips to Better Communicate by Phillip E. Bozek,Ph.D. was published in 1991. This text is a practical guide to getting the most out of your memos, meetings, and business presentations. The fifty tips that are offered are nothing more than common sense applications to your memos, meeting agendas, and presentations. Dr. Bozek offers 17 tips for improving your meetings, 16 tips for improving your memos, and 17 tips for improving your presentations. The tips in this book are practical and useful for the beginner, the novis (sp), and the professional. Effective communication is something every person needs to improve upon. Some of the best projects I have worked on, some of the best organizations I have worked with, some of the best classes I have participated in, and some of my best relationships were directly related to effective and explicit communication. People are more willing to follow, support, and defend a cause when they clearly understand the cause. If I know where I am going, where I want the organization to go, and clearly communicate the destination, I have discovered that you tend to have a more dedicated following. This book provides many opportunities for a leader (i.e. the leader of a small group, leader of a classroom, a leader of an organization) to clearly communicate his/her message.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
I find myself referring back to this text at least once or twice a year. Upon my most recent review of this text, I reflected upon some of the practical tips Dr. Bozek has offered. I discovered that many of his practical suggestions have become a common practice in my daily, weekly, monthly communications with my students, parents, teachers, and colleagues. Although it appears that I use many of these tips as if they naturally flow from my fingertips, I can only hope they serve the purpose they were designed to do....clearly communicate purpose and/or direction.

I recommend this 88 page communication book for the professional shelf of any leader, layman or professional.

A Leader's Legacy

A Leader's Legacy was written by James Zouzes and Barry Posner. It was published in 2006 by Jossey-Bass. The Leadership Legacy is James Zouzes and Barry Posner's excellent followup to their leadership book entitled, "The Leadership Challenge". If you have read The Leadership Challenge and liked what you read then "A Leader's Legacy" is a book you want to add to your professional book shelf. However, if you read The Leadership Challenge and did not agree with the general premis, then A Leader's Legacy is not the leadership book for you.

A Leader's Legacy is about leaders who believe that to make a difference we need to understand that extrodinary leaders are: 1) leaders who serve and sacrifice, 2) leaders who build relationships (on and off the clock), 3) leaders who look within themselves, 4) leaders build up others to become leaders (it takes more than one person to move the group forward), and 5) leaders who know it takes courage to lead.

If you are a leader who needs to be the only one in charge, the one who demands respect, and the one who leaders with mandates, then this is not a book that supports your style. However, if you are a leader who believes it takes a cohesive team to complete a project effectively, a leader who gives respect when earned, and a leader who builds a shared vision, then this is a book that will encourage you to press on. James Zouzes and Barry Posner utilize twenty-five years of research and real life examples of leaders (big and small) who have made a difference and created a legacy. Their research and real life stories give all individuals the hope, courage, and belief that "anyone" (and that means me) can be a leader who makes a difference in the world in which I live.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
In my opinion, this is a book worthy of anyone's book shelf, professional or personal. If you are a person who has been called to work with people (i.e. school, church, youth sports leagues, etc...) this is the book that will enspire you. If you are the type of leader who believes that it takes the whole crew to run the ship instead of just the captain, then this book is for you. However, if you believe it is my way or the high way, this book is not for you. You will think it is a waste of paper, ink, and time. Every page of this book will contratict your way of doing things.

I highly recommend this book to any person who is in charge of a project and has to work with more than one person. This book has a way of building your confidence and enspiring you to do the best that you can as well as encourage those working with you to step beyond their current position.

Outlearning the Wolves

Who ever thought that a simple book about sheep and wolves could unveil the benefits of a learning organization. Outlearning the Wolves: Surviving and Thriving in a Learning Organization is such a book. Through the sheep characters, David Hutchens is able to communicate the benefit and the power the comes with the concept of questioning the status quo. According to nature the wolf eats the sheep and the sheep accept their fate. However, Otto, one of the new sheep, began to question why the wolf had to eat the sheep. Otto began to question among the other sheep and encouraged other sheep to challenge the status quo of the sheep eating wolf. Although Otto died well before his time, he planted the seed of asking questions and seeking out the answer. Marietta, one of the sheep who took his word to heart, gathered the sheep together to resolve the issue of the wolf eatting the sheep. Through the efforts of many members of the flock they discovered why the wolf kills more sheep during the dry season than in the rainy season. Together they devised and executed a plan to solve the issue of the wolves coming into their pasture and taking a sheep for their dinner. In the end, the sheep became a "learning flock".

MY TWO AND A HALF CENTS:

I love parables. The more simple they are the more I tend to benefit from them. The first page of this book only had four words - "This is a wolf." My kind of book! :)

The message is simple: No matter who you are in life, you can outlearn the wolves.

Years ago in the education field our opperating montra was "life long learners". After reading this business management type book the term life-long learners made a little more sense to me. In education and in life we often set in our ways. If the child is failing or if I am failing I all to often blow it off due to variables outside of my direct influence. David Hutchens encourages his readers to challenge the barriers (percieved or real) and ask questions from every angle. Just because someone says it can not be done, doesn't mean it can not be done. In my younger years it was rare that I questioned anyone. If I was told it could not be done or I was not permitted to do it or you will never be able to do it I would accept my fate and walk away. It wasn't until I was encouraged to ask questions and challenge the status quo. Why can't I earn an A? Why can't I become a teacher? Why can't I be an administrator? Why can't all children learn? What barriers are preventing our EL students from mastering ELA standards? What steps do we need to take in order to improve our API score and AYP status? Collectively questioning, seeking answers, adapting, implementing, and revising ones plan are variables on a learning organization. It is my hope that I remain and finetune my life long learning skills. It is my hope that all organizations I work in question the status quo, collect data, generate plans based on data, implement the plan, and then continue to revisit and revise. A person or a group of people who are constantly looking for ways to learn and better themselves (personally or professionally) will always be in the front. These are the leaders who take organizations into places others have only dreamed of. Here's to the Otto's in the world.

School Personnel Administration: A California Perspective

School Personnel Administration: A California Perspective (sixth edition) was written by Arthur J. Townley and June H. Schmieder-Ramirez. The first edition was printed in 2001 and this sixth edition was printed in 2007.


School Personnel Administration: A California Perspective (sixth edition) is a text that provides the reader with a brief but detailed history of the personnel position in the educational field particularly in California. In addition, this text provides the reader with a comprehensive look at the roles, responsibilities, and governing laws that surround the personnel administration position.

This text is fifteen chapters and comes with a companion CD. The CD is nothing more than an outline of the text, however, it does provide some additional information in some sections of the text. The fifteen chapters focus on the personnel administration position within California. These chapters cover the following topics: history of personnel administration, the chief personnel officer, process of selecting personnel, process of evaluating personnel, process of discipline, staff development, collective bargaining, certificated personnel, classified personnel, organizational culture/climate, and the legal aspects of school personnel administration.

MY TWO AND HALF CENTS

For those of us who are looking to learn about the personnel administrative role within the educational field in California, this is a book for you. School Personnel Administration: A California Perspective contains a great deal of information about the personnel administrative position. This information is concise and easy to read. However, it is not light reading. When reading this textbook, I highly recommend you read 1-2 chapters per sitting. The text is so rich with information, it can be overwhelming and you may miss vital information if you rush through the text.

I found this textbook to be very informative and worthy of my professional bookshelf. As I read through the text, many of the questions and misunderstandings surrounding the personnel administrative department were answered. This text will help all of those who have worked or are currently working in the educational field gain a better understanding of how the personnel department functions and why they do what they do. I recommend this text for those who have become interested in a position within the personnel administration department.

The Essential 55

The Essential 55 was written in 2003 by Ron Clark. Mr. Ron Clark is an educator who teaches elementary school students on the East coast. He has taught since 1995 and along this journey he developed, implemented, and enforced fifty-five essential rules for his students (and himself) to follow. These 55 rules have enriched the lives of his students, colleagues, and educators throughout the United States. A few years into his journey of educating children, Mr. Clark became the recipient of the 2001 Disney's American Teacher Award.
This is an excellent common sense book for the beginning as well as the seasoned teacher. Ron Clark does not claim to have all the answers nor all of the "right" rules to make life in the classroom perfect. However, Mr. Clark offers these 55 rules that have been tried, tested, and proven to bring out the successful student in every child.

The book has been written in a basic format. Each rule is numbered. The rule is stated, then a brief story and/or an explanation. The structure and purpose of this book is similar to Mr. Swanson's leadership booklet entitled, "Swanson’s Unwritten Rules of Management". The only difference has to do with the audience. Both books provide insight on leadership and how to become more efficient and effective in the job.

The fifty-five rules range from communication (to fellow students, teachers, other adults) to personal responsibility (honesty, hygiene, organization).

When you look at the rules and begin to analyze them, character building comes to mind. Each of his rules molds and builds productive character traits in all of his students. It has become evident through the stories Mr. Clark has shared in his book, that these rules have helped an enormous number of his students experience academic and social success beyond his classroom.

I highly recommend this book for anyone new to the profession of education. Additionally, I think those of us who have been teaching or working with children for a huge number of years could also benefit from this book. Although the fifty-five rules may seem tedious, at times silly, and overwhelming to consistently enforce, children need to have guidelines. These rules serve as a foundation to build upon and/or a stepping stone to the essential rules/guidelines you will establish in your classroom. Students will perform at the level of the teacher's expectations. If the teacher's expectations are low, then the students performance both inside and outside of the classroom will be low. However, if the teacher's expectations are high, then the students performance both inside and outside of the classroom will be high. Children can and will rise the level you have set the bar. Set the bar at a height that will provide them with the best opportunity of being successful inside as well as outside of the classroom.

This book should be on the professional book shelf of every new and seasoned teacher in the education field.

NO AR

Swanson's Unwritten Rules of Management

William H. Swanson is the author of Swanson’s Unwritten Rules of Management. He wrote this thirty-three unwritten rule management booklet in 2004. Mr. Swanson joined the Raytheon Company in 1972 as an engineer on the shop floor. As of the writing of this management booklet, he has become the chairman and CEO of Raytheon Company. Throughout his journey, he has jotted down his thoughts and bits of wisdom on how to perform more effectively. This booklet is a product of his journal writing as well as effective practices.

Mr. William Swanson has compiled thirty-three rules he operates by on a regular basis. Each rule begins with the rule and then a brief story justifying the purpose of the rule. These justifications and/or insights are filled with humor, wisdom, and raw, yet practical experience.

Of the thirty-three unwritten rules, I have a few favorites. Rule number 4 has to do with looking for what is missing. This makes a lot of sense to me, especially in a meeting. Typically, presenters provide the audience with needed information or information they have a deep understanding of. Often times the most important message are the things unsaid and/or avoided. Rule #8 encourages you to put forth your best efforts, especially when new to the organization, on all assignments. A good supervisor and/or individuals in influential positions are always watching up-and-coming team members. They observe as well as remember how you handled those menial as well as those difficult tasks. Often times, it is those menial and trivial assignments that define as well as spell out an employee’s working character. Lastly, rule #28 states that “you remember 1/3 of what you read, ½ of what people tell you, but 100% of what you feel.” This rule makes a lot of sense to me. I try to read plenty but I find it difficult to remember the things I read. Thus, I write these brief reviews on the books that have been exposed to my eyes. Throughout the day, many people talk to me. Remembering what they say has become an arduous task. Thus, I carry a little 3X5 note pad in my left shirt pocket and write down the things I need to remember. I started this practice when I first became a vice-principal and had to remember all the “promises” I would make. To this day, I write down messages, phone numbers, birthdays, work orders, and special announcements in this little notebook. Lastly, we all have feelings. I work with teachers, students, parents, and family members. They all have feelings. When I interact with any one of these individuals, it is important that they will remember 1/3 of what they read, ½ of what they hear, but 100% of what they feel. If I come across angry, upset, happy, joyous, dull, boring, uninterested, or energetic, that is what they will remember. It is vital to always be cognizant of how I present myself to others so that their feelings will match what they read and/or heard from me.

For a seasoned leader or an up-and-coming leader, this is a worth while leadership booklet. All thirty-three unwritten rules by Mr. Swanson are practical and easy to put into practice. I have read this booklet a number of times and have discovered something new each time. After this recent read, I found many of the thirty-three unwritten rules to align themselves with the book entitled, The Leadership Challenge. The Leadership Challenge is an excellent text on leadership. With two plus decades of research supporting their position on leadership, The Leadership Challenge is a book worth exploring.

10 Best Teaching Practices

10 Best Teaching Practices: How Brain Research, Learning Styles, and STandards Define Teaching Competencies is written by Donna Walker Tileston. She has written this book for the teacher who has been seeking out teaching methods that have a proven track record and have been supported by research. Donna Walker Tileston has skillfully incorporated brain research and learning styles information into a book for quick reference. The ten best practices covered in this book are not new. We have all seen them, heard about them, read about them, and even practiced them in our own classroom.

Donna Walker Tileston has provided her readers with the latest in brain research, learning styles, and standards based instruction. She builds a solid case on why educators (i.e. teachers, principals, and district administrators) need to put into action these 10 teaching practices.

This book has been divided up into eleven chapters. The first ten chapters cover the ten best practices Donna Walker Tileston champions and the last chapter discusses how to put it all together.

The importance of creating an emotionally supportive and enriching environment was covered in chapter 1. Chapter 2 supports the notion that a wide repertoire of teaching techniques must be utilized throughout the lesson. Connecting new concepts or new learning across disciplines with concepts and learning that has taken place previously was discussed in chapter 3. Chapter 4 takes some time to review the research that supports teaching for long-term memory. As educators, it has been our responsibility to integrate higher-level thinking skills into the daily learning of our students. This practice was covered in some detail in chapter 5. Chapter 6 reviews the research on positive impact collaboration has both inside the classroom with the students as well as outside of the classroom with the teachers. Collaboration can and will improve how students learn, what students learn, how teachers work together, how teachers teach, and what teachers teach. Bridging the gender gap, the race gap, and the socioeconomic status gap is covered in chapter 7. This chapter discusses the importance and ever growing need to ensure that "all learners" have an opportunity to be academically successful in our educational system. Chapter 8 addresses authentic assessment and the need to move away from using assessment to test our student's short-term memory but to use authentic assessment for assessing their long-term memory. Chapter 9 identifies the importance of relevance as it applies to learning in the classroom. Technology and its place in today's society has been explored in chapter 10. The last chapter is two pages (my kind of chapter) and sums up what was said.

MY TWO CENTS:

If you are familiar with the latest research of "best practices" then this book is nothing more than a review or a synopsis of the teaching practices that make a difference. I would recommend this book for new teachers as well as principals. Why? This book is an easy read and in a short period of time, the reader will be exposed to the top ten teaching practices that are research supported as well as have enough information to begin a deeper study in one or more of the practices. I'll admit some of those books on brain research are thick with tier 3 words and dwell in the clouds. When reading books like that, I tend to trudge through them (three steps forward and two steps back) and get lost in their language. Donna Walker Tileston has successfully taken years of research and experience and placed it in an easy to read, yet highly informative book.

Hey Jason, thank you for recommending this book. It brought me up to speed and has provided me with some of the research needed to support and/or correct the actions taking place in the classroom.

Bringing Words to Life

Bringing Words to Life: Robust Vocabulary Instruction by Isabell Beck, Margaret McKeown, and Linda Kucan. The seven chapters of this book provide an explicit rational for a robust vocabulary as well as practical ways to provide effective vocabulary instruction to the students under your care.

The authors spent some time reviewing current research about vocabulary and vocabulary instruction. Through their research, the authors determined that there were simply too many vocabulary words to teach children. Tier research lead them to categorize words into three tiers. Tier 1 words consist of the most basic words - lady, block, sad, run, like, etc... Tier 1 words typically do not need explicit instructional attention within the school setting. Words within the tier 2 realm are typically high frequency words. These are words one would come across in a variety of domains. Tier 2 words are not exclusive to one event, one content, or one situation. Tier two words are tier two because of the enormous role they play in the language user's repertoire. They tend to cross over easily into a wide variety of settings and/or contents. Some examples of tier 2 words are "introduce, introduction, reintroduce, and introducing. Tier 3 words are those vocabulary words that are exclusive to a particular situation and or subject. Tier 3 words are limited in their use. The remainder of the book focuses on tier 2 vocabulary words. The authors cover techniques on how to chose tier 2 words to explicitly teach and practical ways to introduce tier 2 vocabulary words in the elementary and secondary grades.

TWO CENTS WORTH:

Vocabulary usage or the development of my vocabulary has been difficult for me for as long as I can remember. When writing about a subject or writing vocabulary words sentences, I was the kid who "over-used" the following words: live, love, very, cool, and like. Bringing Words to Life was a book I didn't know I would find personally and professionally valuable and meaningful to me. In my world there were only two tiers of words: the simple word tier and the hard word tier. Occasionally a fellow student or colleague would befriend me and dare to take time to explain various tier 2 words that they used. Their patience and nonjudgement I have been grateful for. After reading this book, a whole new world has opened up to me. Utilizing some of the Thinking Maps organizers, I am more prone to take a simple tier 1 words and discover several other vocabulary words that can be used in its place. As an educator, I am grateful for the scientific research that supports the author's premise as well as a wide variety of strategies to build a robust vocabulary in the students one teaches.

For those of us who see vocabulary as a key to understanding and expanding one's knowledge in all curricular areas (i.e. writing, English language arts, science, math, social studies, physical education, etc...), this book will be a valuable resource for administrators and teachers. This would be an excellent book for staff development, staff discussions, and staff implementation. I am confident that the information in this book will have a positive impact on the way teachers see vocabulary and, most importantly, how they develop vocabulary in the students under their care.

I found this book to be empowering, encouraging, and easy to implement into my daily life as an educator. I look forward to sharing this with my staff, students, and colleagues.

NO AR QUIZ.

Alcoholism: The Facts (3rd Edition)

Alcoholism: The Facts is a classic text on one of the most common drugs in the world - alcohol. The book is written for those who share their life with someone who has an alcohol problem and those who have an alcohol problem. The author, Donald W. Goodwin, is a practicing doctor who can skillfully write so that the average layman as well as an up-and-coming medical professional can gain valuable incite into the world of alcoholism.

Dr. Goodwin has organized his book into four major parts: 1) Alcohol, 2) Alcoholism, 3) Understanding Alcoholism, and 4) Treating Alcoholism. Each major part of the book is subdivided into four additional sections.

PART 1: Alcohol - This part of the book introduces the reader to alcohol. It talks about the types of alcohol beverages, how alcohol affects the body, how alcohol influences behavior, and alcohol throughout history.

PART 2: Alcoholism - The author defines alcoholism, provides the reader with explicit symptoms of the alcoholic, explains the typical course the alcoholic travels, and provides in-depth information on women and alcohol.

PART 3: Understanding Alcoholism - Here the author discusses the risk factors related to alcohol, the connection between alcoholism and depression, alcoholism within the realm of heredity, the addictive cycle of alcohol, and several psychosocial theories related to alcoholism.

Section 4: Treating Alcoholism - Dr. Goodwin covers the variety of treatments available for those who struggle with alcohol. Research gathered from treatments in the West as well as research gathered from the East. There was a chapter dedicated to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and one on attacking the problem of alcoholism within the family. The book ends with one of the most widely-used self screening questionnaires for detecting alcoholism. This questionnaire is called MAST or Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test. The questions are pretty intense but straight forward.

MY TWENTY DOLLARS WORTH: Typically I loath (tier 2 word) scientific type books with big tier 3 words and pages upon pages of information a doctorate student could only understand. However, this 158 page book on alcoholism was informative, practical, and easy to read. Traditionally, I trudge through non-fiction books especially when they contain a ton of material just to support the author's one main point. This author was gracious enough to trudge through the mounds and mounds of research for us and then summarize his findings. Yes, this book is a summary of Donald W. Goodwin's research. It has been written in a way so that even a lay-person can understand the complexities of alcoholism.

This was a simple read. The book has given me an insight into a world I have chosen to ignore. Alcohol impacts every one's life whether they are the drinker or the non-drinker. Is it good or bad? Is there a good time and a bad time to consume alcohol? Is there a right amount or wrong amount of alcohol one should consume? These are all questions each person must individually resolve within themselves. However, think about this: "If anything (i.e. alcohol, food, pills, lust, etc.) consumes your every thought, find a friend and talk about it. This may be the key to opening the door to a healthier and happier life."

Back in the late 60's - early 70's there was a commercial with an elephant roaming through a house. This commercial seemed to be on every channel, every day, in between every show. The commercial began with the camera zooming in and out of rooms throughout the house. Then the front door opened. A few heads turned towards the door as this huge elephant walked in. As the elephant walked through the house from room to room, each of the family members simply ignored the elephant or moved quickly out of its way. Before the commercial came to an end, the figure of the elephant faded into grey and was replaced with the figure of a man. The picture faded away and some message about ignoring alcoholism was placed on the screen. I wonder how many of us know of an elephant in our house yet chose to ignore it? Or worse. I wonder how many of us are the elephant yet don't realize it or chose to ignore it.

I highly recommend this book for those who want to gain practical knowledge about alcoholism. As I have mentioned previously, it is an easy read and worth the space in your professional library.

AR QUIZ: NO AR QUIZ

Chemotherapy and You

Chemotherapy and You: A Guide to Self-Help During Cancer Treatment written by a team of writers working in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

This booklet is written for patients who are recieving chemotherapy for cancer. It's intent is provide basic information about chemotherapy, how it may affect a patient, and basic guidelines for the patient to follow as they go through the process of chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy and You takes the ignorant reader through a knowledge building journey about chemotherapy and the individual. The first section of the booklet provides the reader with a basic understanding of chemotherapy. Then, the reader gains an understanding of what to expect during the chemotherapy treatment period. General side effects are reviewed as well as suggestions on how to deal with them. Eating well and seeking support from others (i.e. friends, family, other survivers, cancer organizations, etc..) were covered in some detail. There were a few pages that discussed therapies that were considered complementary to chemotherapy. Some of those therapies covered were, but not limited to: hypnosis, imagery, massage therapy, muscle tension and release, yoga, and physical exercise. Lastly, the booklet contains a glossary with all of the main context specific words (i.e. tier 3 words). This glossary was a handy reference as I read through this booklet.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
Chemotherapy and You is an informative book. It is filled with facts rather than light and airy information. This booklet is an easy read and recommended for anyone going through chemotherapy, knows someone who is going through chemotherapy, or wants to understand chemotherapy and what a person goes through when recieving it.

After reading this booklet I have a deeper respect for ANYONE who has, who is, and who will be batteling cancer through chemotherapy. Using chemicals within one's body to battle bad cancer cells is a battle inwhich there will be a lot of calateral damage (i.e. white and red blood cells). One's inner body becomes one big battle field. However, the body is a miracle machine and it is great to hear many of the successful battles that have been won. Cheers to all of you who are fighting the fight. May your battle be won and the years ahead be joyous, peaceful, and full of life.

If you are looking for additional information on cancer and/or chemotherapy I have listed below a few websites that may be of interest:

www.nci.nih.gov
www.cancertrials.nci.nih.gov
www.cancernet.nci.nih.gov
www.chid.nih.gov/ncichid

The Moral Imperative of School Leadership

The Moral Imperative of School Leadership is written by Michael Fullan. He is the author of several other books dealing with systematic changes within the school system.

After learning that my school did not make it's projected A.P.I. score or the A.M.O. (annual measurable objectives) for 2006 the air was sucked out of my lungs and my heart proceeded to beat slower than a dead-man's. Even though we had show academic growth in our targeted areas, we did not meet the 24.4% proficient criteria in ELA for two of the four sub-groups: Hispanic and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged. This placed us in the arena of a 1st year program improvement school. Up until now, we have been extremely proactive.

When we received the notice that we had become a 1st year program improvement school under the No Child Left Behind act, I as well as every member of the staff were devastated. For three months, I sulked, walked the darkest streets, and experienced depression at new depths. We did everything we were told, everything research suggested, and implemented them with fidelity.

This book was recommended by my boss during one of our conversations. Before the conversation ended, she loaned me the book. Needless to say, I read the book within a week and it began to reshape my thinking as well as helped me gain a new perspective of the place I hold within this huge educational system. Each one of us can make a difference as individuals, we can make a difference as a school, we can make a difference at the district level, and we can make a difference regionally. It is more than we “can” make a difference; it is our moral imperative to make a difference!

Mr. Fullan has divided up this book into five simple chapters. He discusses the need to revamp the principal’s role in order to help change the context within which teachers and students learn. Michael Fullan then discusses many of the self-imposed barriers both the principal faces as well as the school system. The third chapter discusses in some detail the first of two levels of making a difference. Making a difference individually is level one and making a difference as a school is level 2. Chapter four covers the remaining two levels of making a difference. These last two levels go beyond the school. Level three is making a difference regionally and level four is making a difference in our society. In the last chapter, Michael Fullan provides global steps toward making a difference on all four levels.

MY THREE CENTS:
As I mentioned earlier, this book was introduced to me at a pivotal point in my professional career. All of the time and effort that our educational team put forth into the education of the children under our care was not measuring up to the goals set forth by the No Child Left Behind act. We were devastated. I was mystified.

A couple years ago I read a book entitled “Good To Great” by Jim Collins. Mr. Collins talked about leadership in a five-level hierarchy. I was fascinated by this concept but saddened because it was not directly related to education, my professional field. Then along came a spider the book “The Moral Imperative of School Leadership” and Michael Fullan borrowed from the familiar leadership hierarchy concept in Good to Great. However, instead of a five-level hierarchy Mr. Fullan talked about four. The concepts were the same: all people can make a difference at level one; however, the difference you will make will have the lowest impact. As you move up the hierarchy, the higher the influence you will make within the system.

I will never find the silver bullet that will change my API scores into the 800-900’s or my AMO’s at/or above 75% proficient in ELA and Math. However it is my moral obligation to do what ever I can to level the educational field for all the children I serve so that they, too, have every opportunity to attain success in our educational system as well as within our society.

This is a recommended read for those principals who have tried everything under the sun and have been unable to gain ground. This book will help clear your mind, gather your thoughts, and reaffirm many of the things you are already doing. Remember, numbers are only numbers but children are children who will some day grow up and run society. Children will remember the things taught by those individuals who where their champion on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. You can and you will make a difference as an academic leader, it is your moral obligation. Good luck on your professional and personal journey!

NO AR QUIZ :(

The Secret: What Great Leaders Know - And Do

The Secret: What Great Leaders Know - And Do by Ken Blanchard and Mark Miller is one of many management-type books offered by one or both of these authors. The Secret has been written in a story format. It brings the reader through a series of meetings between Debbie, the main character of the story, and her mentor, the CEO of the company she works at. Over a year's time, Jeff, Debbie's mentor, walks her through a journey of discovery.

During Debbie's journey of discovery, she learns that the secret to leadership is to SERVE. Each letter of the word SERVE refers to a key concept in the secret to leadership. S reminds the leader to "See the Future". E reminders the leader to Engage and develop others. R reminds the leader to Reinvent continuously. V reminds the leader to Value results and relationships. The last E reminds the leader to Embody the values of the organization.

After reading The Secret, I couldn't help but notice some similarities between the research-based leadership book entitled, "The Leadership Challenge". In the Leadership Challenge, the authors provide the readers with five research-based practices that all exemplary leaders embodied. Those five practices are: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others, and Encourage the Heart. Like the SERVE model, exemplary leaders inspire a shared vision of the future (see the future), enable others to act (engage and develop others), challenge the process (reinvent continuously), encourage the heart value relationships), and model the way (embody the values of the organization).

For those of us who are looking for ways to improve our leadership skills it is important to note that there is "no silver bullet". There is no "quick fix" nor everlasting solution. The journey of building your leadership skills and sharpening the skills you possess is never ending. With each new day comes new challenges and new circumstances. Every day is new; therefore, every approach to overcome the challenge should be tackled in a new way.

The Secret by Ken Blanchard and Mark Miller was an easy read and provided practical strategies that WILL increase and sharpen one's leadership skills. I recommend this book as well as others written by these two authors. Their ideas, their values, and their desire to SERVE others propel many of us into successful leadership experiences.

It is my hope that I can embody many of the SERVE principles in my leadership journey on a daily basis.

Improving Your Storytelling

Improving Your Storytelling by Doug Lipman is a book I picked up to help me sharpen my storytelling techniques. I'm not exactly the most exiting individual to listen to when telling stories but occasionally I have a good one to tell.

Every morning over the PA system I welcome the student body as well as the staff to school. There are days I find myself imitating the radio personality I heard on the way to work or simply mimicking Robin Williams in "Good Morning Vietnam". In staff meetings, I tend to be winded and bore the socks off my staff with my limited presentation and oral communication skills. Thus, I picked up the book Improving Your Storytelling in hopes of building the necessary skills to effectively delivery information through the technique of storytelling.

For those of you who have the gift of telling stories and want to learn some of the tested and true storytelling techniques (i.e. body language, tone, pacing, images, etc...), this is the book for you. However, if you are a beginning storyteller and know little about it, this book is ahead of you.

I must confess that I put the book down after it sat on my bed stand for two months. I picked the book up several times to give it a chance to hook my brain and spirit of learning but it did not happen. Therefore, I took the book off my bed stand and walked downstairs to the dreaded bookshelf. Typically, once a book has been placed on the "bookshelf" it remains there for a very long time. Out of sight, out of mind. Once it is there, the only time I see the sides or insides of those books again will be when I have another uninteresting book or if I have completed a book.

I wonder if there is a book entitled, "Storytelling for Dummies". I need something that will be easy to read, easy to implement, and makes me sound good to my audience (i.e. my staff, the students, the parents, and my family).

How Full Is Your Bucket?

How Full Is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D. is a wonderful book for both professional and personal development. The book was recommended by a colleague and I read it in two sittings (1.5 hours each). The book is filled with simple stories that create images that bring to life the main ideas.

Do you remember the concept of using "put ups" instead of "put downs"? Well, the concept of the filling or depleting one's personal bucket is similar in many ways. The author's theory behind the book is called, "The Dipper and the Bucket". Each of us have an invisible bucket. The contents in the bucket (water) is either being poured into this invisible bucket or it is being taken out. The water represents one's emotional well being and/or positive emotions. A dipper is used to dip into an others bucket and/or to fill an others bucket. Every time you encounter another person (i.e. in person, email, telephone, etc...) you will either fill their bucket or deplete their bucket. Every human interaction has the potential to fill or deplete.

The authors provide plenty of research that suggests the upside of being positive. Positive people or people who tend to live on the positive side of the fence tend to live longer, have more friends, stay healthier, and tend to be more productive (at work and at home).

Some interesting facts notated in this book:

• The #1 reason people leave their jobs: the don't feel appreciated.


• Bad bosses could increase the risk of a stroke by 33%.


• A study found that negative employees can scare off every customer they speak with - for good.


• 65% of Americans receive no recognition in the workplace last year.


• 9 out of 10 people say they are more productive when they're around positive people.


• The magic ratio: 5 positive interactions for 1 negative interaction.


• More than 13 positive interactions for every 1 negative interaction could decrease productivity.

This concept of filling or emptying an invisible bucket is so simple, so visual, and easy to implement. Daily interactions with my family and my staff have me instantly reflecting on what I did. Did I just fill their bucket? Did I just use my dipper to pull out of their bucket to fill my bucket?

I have and will continue to recommend this book to my friends and colleagues. It is a quick read, a light read, and has the potential of creating a positive and better life for all those you encounter....especially for you.